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Released on June 5, Bitch failed to make the Billboard 200 albums chart, marking a significant contrast to the commercial success of her previous releases. Although the album appeared at No. 46 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart, its overall performance has drawn attention because of the sharp decline from her earlier projects.
According to music industry tracking service Luminate, as reported by Entertainment Weekly, Bitch sold approximately 2,649 equivalent album units during its first week. In its second full week, the album reportedly moved just 650 units.
Those figures are substantially lower than Lizzo's 2022 album, Special, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with roughly 69,000 equivalent album units in its opening week. That album was powered by the massive success of the Grammy-winning single "About Damn Time."
A Career Built on Major Hits
Despite the disappointing performance of Bitch, Lizzo remains one of the most successful artists to emerge over the past decade.
Her breakthrough came with "Truth Hurts," which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after becoming a viral sensation. She later repeated that success with "About Damn Time," another chart-topping single that earned widespread critical acclaim.
Other notable hits include:
• "Good as Hell" (which peaked at No. 3 after a remix featuring Ariana Grande)
• "Rumors," featuring Cardi B (which reached No. 4)
• Her 2019 album Cuz I Love You, which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
Throughout her career, Lizzo has won four Grammy Awards and received numerous other honors, including an MTV Video Music Award for the "About Damn Time" music video.
The Lawsuit That Changed Public Perception
The commercial struggles surrounding Bitch come as Lizzo continues to fight a lawsuit filed in August 2023 by three former backup dancers—Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez.
The dancers sued Lizzo (whose legal name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson), her touring company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc., and dance captain Shirlene Quigley, alleging they experienced a hostile work environment during the tour.
The lawsuit attracted widespread media attention because many of the allegations appeared to conflict with Lizzo's public image as an advocate for body positivity, inclusivity, and self-acceptance.
Allegations Made by the Former Dancers
The lawsuit contains several categories of allegations.
Sexual Harassment
One of the most widely reported claims involves an outing to a club in Amsterdam's Red Light District.
The plaintiffs allege that Lizzo encouraged members of her dance team to interact with nude performers during the visit. According to the lawsuit, dancers were pressured to participate in activities involving the performers, including touching them and engaging in explicit acts. One plaintiff alleges she was pressured to touch a performer's breasts despite her discomfort.
Weight-Related Comments
Plaintiff Arianna Davis alleged that Lizzo and a choreographer made comments about her recent weight gain that she interpreted as criticism of her commitment and fitness to continue performing on tour.
Religious and Racial Harassment
The lawsuit also accuses dance captain Shirlene Quigley of imposing her religious beliefs on dancers, discussing a dancer's virginity in front of others, and treating employees differently based on their religious views.
In addition, the complaint alleges that Black dancers faced harsher treatment than non-Black performers in certain workplace situations.
Hostile Working Conditions
The dancers describe what they characterize as an intimidating work environment, including lengthy re-auditions lasting up to 12 hours.
One plaintiff alleges she became so fearful of asking for a bathroom break that she soiled herself during rehearsal rather than risk losing her position.
Lizzo Strongly Denies the Allegations
Lizzo has consistently denied the claims made against her.
Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, she issued a public statement saying she was "not the villain" she had been portrayed as in media coverage. She described many of the allegations as exaggerated and argued they came from former employees who had previously been criticized for their own conduct while on tour.
Lizzo has maintained that she expects professionalism and high performance standards from her team but says she has never intentionally made anyone feel unsafe, degraded, or undervalued.
Current Legal Status
The lawsuit remains ongoing.
A California judge has dismissed some claims, including certain allegations related to weight discrimination. However, several significant claims—including those concerning the Amsterdam incident and other workplace allegations—were allowed to proceed.
Lizzo's legal team has also sought dismissal under California's anti-SLAPP law, arguing that aspects of the lawsuit challenge constitutionally protected artistic and expressive activities connected to her performances and creative direction. The plaintiffs dispute that characterization.
Lizzo has publicly stated that she does not intend to settle the lawsuit and is prepared to defend herself in court if the remaining claims proceed to trial.
Looking Ahead
The disappointing commercial performance of Bitch represents a notable setback for an artist who has previously dominated both streaming platforms and the Billboard charts. Whether the album's sales reflect changing musical trends, the impact of the ongoing legal controversy, or a combination of factors is open to interpretation.
Meanwhile, the lawsuit remains unresolved. Because the case is still pending, the allegations have not been proven in court, and Lizzo continues to deny any wrongdoing. The outcome of the legal proceedings could have significant implications for both her career and public reputation.
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